Confessions of a Football Mom

Yes, I am a football mom!  No, not a soccer mom!

A FOOTBALL MOM!!  And I am proud of it

EVERY MINUTE!!

Please don't get me wrong, I love cheering my son

on in any sports he participates in.  However, football

will always have my heart!

I think it all comes down to the fact I love the sound of the pads hitting,

the lights shining down on a Friday night, and playing in the band

all those years (yes, I am a band geek but that is another story).

On this morning of JJ's very first HIGH SCHOOL game, I wanted to

focus on my favorite football player of all time -

MY WONDERFUL SON

JJ JOHNSON!!

Except for the 2008 season of football,

JJ has played every year since 2004.

Y'all, that is a lot of washing dirty uniforms.

That is a lot of sitting in the sun, rain and freezing cold.

That is a lot of sitting on rock hard benches.

That is a lot of sore throats the next day from yelling for your favorite player!

And you know what, I would not change it for the world!

So, here is to my favorite football player -

#77 JJ JOHNSON

LET'S GO WARRIORS!!!

First game as Riverside Warrior!

JJ's first year of football - 6 yrs old

The Campbell Creek Cougars Years!

2004

2005

2006

2007

The DuPont Panthers Years!

2009

2010

2011

Hi!! Remember Me?!?

Oh my goodness, where has the last couple of days went to!  It has been crazy in the Johnson household and mom is offically wore out!  Here is our last few days in a quick nutshell!

Friday

The First Day of School

Also, we had our annual Fire Department Picnic.

I think the older "kids" had more fun on the giant blow up

than the smaller kids!

The look on JJ's face in the first one is priceless!

Saturday

Went to my friend Dan's wedding reception!

Got to catch up with both Dan (on L) and Matt (on R).

Then it was off to a wedding!

Our really good friends Jesse and Gene were married!

Have to tell you, the best wedding EVER!!!!

I wish them nothing but a lifetime of happiness and love!

Sunday

I taught Sunday school - YIKES!  Kids said I did not do too bad -- LOL!

Then, I went and hung out with my family at my mom's and dad's.

I also worked on some earrings Sunday morning.

I am thinking about starting to sell earrings and braclets.

I don't know where I could find craft shows though!

Finally - Monday and Tuesday

Well, let us just say, it was torture and be done with it.

Monday evening - someone stole JJ's backpack during football practice.

Tuesday morning - Went to the high school to report the stolen property.

Nothing like being in the principal's office on the 3rd day of school.

Tuesday morning - Johnny was taking me to work and the car had a bad shimmy.

We heard something come out of the tire and the shimmy stopped.

However, ended up with a badly cut tire.  So, had to put two new tires on the

car!  YIKES!

I think I will take the weekend back again!  GEESH!

Have a great day everyone!

First Day of School

The first day of school has came and went in the Johnson household.  Though it is hard to believe me once "little man" has turned into this wonderful "young man."  I am very proud of his course selections that include two honors courses and JROTC!  He is so excited about the JROTC that he actually came home last night and began working on his homework for the class.  I know, it was amazing.  I wanted to look at him and say "Hello, who are you and what have you done with JJ?"

Hope everyone's first day was great! 

First day of Ninth Grade

Seems like only yesterday, I was taking this picture

First day of Kindergarten

Milestones of Age

We have went through many different "milestones" things in the Johnson household in the past 14 years.  However, those different milestones are becoming harder and harder to face.  Oh, please don't get me wrong.  I am thrilled to see JJ growing into a very nice young man.  However, with each passing milestone, it means we are a little closer to JJ flying the nest.  *SIGH*

Wondering what new milestone we faced tonight?  Well, my baby boy SHAVED for the first time tonight!  YIKES!!  Not only am I dealing with the fact he is starting high school tomorrow, let's add shaving to the mix.  I don't know whether to laugh or cry. 

I am happy to report, we do not have any toilet paper pieces all over the face.  Johnny reports he did a very good job.  Sadly, I got up there to take pictures when he was almost done.  But I did get these pics to share with ya!

And of course, what do men do after shaving?  Of course, apply aftershave!  

We got a little grimmace!  I was hoping for a "Kevin" reaction like in the movie "Home Alone" - LOL!! 

And now I present, my newly shaved son:

So, another milestone has came and gone in the Johnson household.  You all better have a nice padded cell for me when this sweet kid starts driving -- LOL!

Have a great night everyone!

Music, Beautiful Music

I have to say, who ever chose the music for this past Sunday's church service did an AMAZING job!!  Don't get me wrong, I love pretty much all the music we sing in our services.  There are a few songs though, I cringe at when I see in the bulletin on Sunday morning.  Not because I don't like the song.  Just because I know I can not sing them that well.  Oh well!!  All I can say is enjoy the "joyful noise!"  But I transgress!

This past Sunday, I loved them all!  They all were ones everyone knows.  The best part was looking out from the choir loft, while we were singing our selection, and seeing JJ singing right along!  I did not even know he knew the words.  That was a truly wonderful feeling.

So, are you curious what songs got me so excited?  Well, I am going to share them with ya!

First - "How Great Thou Art"

I found this one by Alan Jackson.  I will admit, even listening to it this morning, I teared up.  I teared up Sunday singing it also.  It is just a wonderful song!

Second - "In The Garden"

Another favorite of mine and again sung by one of my favorite country singers.  Sidenote - I don't think there is anything Alan Jackson can not sing.  And I personally love when he sings gospel music.  His voice is amazing!

Third - "Have A Little Talk With Jesus"

This was our choir selection for this week.  I got very excited when I found out this is what we were going to be singing.  However, the greatest joy came from watching my son sing every word from that choir loft.  It made my heart sing!

Fourth - "Amazing Grace"

So many memories with this song!  Probably, I dare say, my favorite hymn!

And finally - "I Am Resolved"

This is the best version I found of this song.  I don't know the gentleman singing but he has a nice voice. 

Now do you see why I say there was some great music Sunday morning at Kanawha Salines Presbyterian??  I can't wait to see what this Sunday has in store!

Have a great day everyone! 

"G" is for

GUACAMOLE!!  We have become obessed with guacamole in this house.  I have always liked the "green stuff" as JJ use to call it.  Johnny and JJ have really started liking it as of late.  So, instead of hitting our favorite Mexican resturant every time we want the good stuff, I found a wonderful recipe on Pinterest!

The recipe was "pinned" from the website Food Gawker.  This is a great site for everything food!  I have found some really good recipes from there.  Anyway, I was dabbling around Pinterest and found this great recipe for easy guacamole!  You can find the recipe here!  Believe me, you will not be sorry!

It has 8 ingredients - avocados, lime, red onion, cilantro, garlic, kosher salt, pepper and minced jalapeno.  Mixes up very quickly and you can serve immediately.  Give it a try if you are like us and love the GUACAMOLE!!

Trying to decide

About a month ago, I started another blog entitled Skinny Is A Six Letter Word!  I decided to make this blog because I wanted to discuss weighty (get it - weighty issues -- LOL) without bogging down this one.  However, I am beginning to wonder if that was a good idea. 

I have to come to realize, I love to blog!  Seriously, if I could find a way to make a career out of blogging, I would.  I like to share our little family and our little adventures with you all.  Plus, it is a great stress reliever.  However, I am just wondering if two blogs are too many??  I love being able to discuss the things I want to discuss over on the other blog.  Because believe me, I could talk for hours about the way society makes it hard on us "Pleasantly Plump" individuals!  Again though, I don't know if I should include that stuff on my a blog about my family!  YIKES!!!  I hate making decisions!!!

So, my fellow readers, I am going to let you have a vote here!  Should I can the other blog and add its content to this blog?  Or leave them the way they are?  Don't be afraid to hurt my feelings!  I want to make this fun for everyone!!  I just want to know if you want to read about all the other things going through my head along with reading about my crazy family in one centric place!  So, leave a comment with your thoughts and hopefully, I can come with some decision by the end of the weekend (again, I hate making decisions)!

Have a great Saturday everyone!

Memories from a walk with my son!

Last October, JJ and I went out walking around my in-laws home.  Lucikly, I had my camera with me.  So, I decided to do a little photo shoot with JJ.  Now, I am no well seasoned photographer here (but I did take one semester of photography).  I just LOVE to take pictures and one of my favorite subjects is my son.  Poor kid has had a camera shoved in his face for the past 14 years!  Don't you feel sorry for him??

So, here are some of my favorite pics from that little impromptu photo shoot!  Have a great day everyone! 

PS -- He doesn't know it, but we are going to do this again really soon!  That is our little secret -- hee hee!

This last pic is of the rainbow we saw once we got back.

The pic has not been altered.

The rainbow is actually upside down!  Never seen one like this before!



Pics of the new addition

Okay, let us see if this will work this morning!  And here is Bear!

Isn't he the cutest little thing?  I am afraid I am going to break him when I pick him up though.  He is so tiny. 

Welcome to the family Bear (AKA - Little Ankle Bitter)!

Our New Addition

Back in December, my lovely friend Beth S. posted this picture of a dog from the Kanawha Animal Shelter.  When I saw the picture, I fell immediately in love with this dog.  I just knew we had to get him. 

JJ had been wanting to get a dog for awhile and we decided that this dog would be one of this Christmas presents.  So, the next day I called the pound and saved the little guy's life (he was three to four days from being put down).  The following day, we brought home our Copper.

Sadly though, we believe Copper was abused by his previous owners.  He immediately took to me but it has not been until recently that he started coming around to Johnny and JJ.  So, my darling husband told our lovely child that one day, we would get him a puppy to raise himself.  Well, that one day came Sunday!

Meet our new addition - Bear!

Well, ladies and gentleman, it looks like Blogger is being a pain in the A**!  It will not let me upload pictures right now!! 

So, once this little glitch is fixed, I will post pictures of our new addition.  But I will tell you that he is a seven week old coppered nose beagle and quite adorable!  Copper is still a little unsure of him as of yet.  Hopefully, that will change soon.

Have a wonderful night everyone.  I plan to once I yell at blogger a little bit longer!  LOL!!!

Winner, Winner (Chicken Dinner -- LOL)

Okay, so it is not a MAJOR award (ie like the Leg Lamp in a "Christmas Story") but it made my day.  My friend Bethany chose me to participate in this 'game' some other bloggers are doing.  Here are the rules taken directly from Bethany's blog My Kind of Wonderful.

The rules (copied straight from Heather)

*Post 11 random facts about myself 

 

*Choose 11 deserving bloggers and tag them in my post (200 followers or less). 

*Tell the chosen bloggers that I’ve tagged them. 

*Answer 11 questions the tagger has asked me, and give 11 questions to the people I’ve tagged. I'm not allowed to tag back the blogger who chose me.

 

 

11 Random Facts about myself

1.  I was the field commander of my high school band my senior year.  Yes, I am

a bonfide 'band geek' and proud of it!

2.  I love to make homemade items and give them away to people.

3.  I LOVE TO KARAOKE!

4.  My Masters degree in Dental Hygiene is unusal because there are only

eight universities that offer that degree.  Plus, WVU only takes two students

a year into their program.

5.  I love to scrapbook.  It is my "Me Time" and I can get lost for hours.

6.  I am currently reading four (yes FOUR) different books.

7.  I love to coupon.  It has became a small addiction of mine.  However,

I am in no way extreme like those people you see on the TV.

8.  I twirled flag in the band at Tech.  Told ya I was a 'band geek!'

9.  It took me three times to pass my learner's written exam.  I missed

one to many questions each time.

10.  I love planning parties and events.  I would love to be an event

planner when I grow up.

11.  If I had not went into dental hygiene, I was going to be a nurse.

Now, sadly I don't have 11 people to tag back.  But I really thought this was fun and I am going to start following some of the individuals Beth recommended.

So, now here are the answers to the 11 questions Beth asked me.  Should be interesting -- LOL!

The 11 questions to answer...

1. Who's your BFF?

This is a hard one to answer.  I actually have four that are there for me no matter what.

Terri S, Melinda S, Sherri M and Kristy P

 

2. What were you like in High School?

I was a nerd and a band geek (see my 11 random facts -- LOL).  I did not

particular hangout with one select crowd.

 

3. Any pets?

Two crazy dogs - Cooper and Bear

 

4. What's one website you check daily?

Google Blogger - I read all the blogs I follow everyday

 

5. Your best restaurant horror story.

I was out to eat with Johnny and the waitress dumped an entire glass of water

on my lap.  Needless to say, it was little cold.

 

6. Your favorite cartoon you used to watch growing up.

I loved the Smurfs!

 

7. If you could excel at one thing, what would it be?

I would love to be able to crochet like everyone else in my family.  I can make

a pretty good chain stitch though -- LOL!

 

8. What has been your favorite birthday?

My 25th birthday - Johnny took me to see KISS!  Loved it!!

 

9. How long do you take in the shower?

Depends on whether I over sleep or not -- LOL!  Usually around 10 to 15 minutes

 

10. Your favorite TV show, current or past.

Tie:  Past - The Cosby Show; Now - NCIS

 

11. What's your favorite event to watch during these Summer Olympics?

Though I have not got to watch much this Summer, I love diving and gymnastics.

 

So, there you go - I little about me!  Thanks Bethany, this was fun!!

By the way, give Beth a follow at My Kind of Wonderful!  It is a great blog!!